Gangways are one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment on vessels and docks, yet they are also a frequent source of serious maritime injuries. When a gangway collapses, shifts, or is improperly secured, seamen can suffer devastating falls between a vessel and the dock. These accidents occur regularly in busy Gulf Coast ports like Port of Houston, Port of Galveston, and Port of Corpus Christi where crews constantly move between vessels and terminals.
Under the Jones Act, seamen injured due to unsafe gangways may bring negligence claims against their employers or vessel owners. Maritime employers have a duty to provide a reasonably safe place to work, which includes properly maintained gangways, secure rigging, non-slip walking surfaces, and adequate lighting. If a gangway fails because it was improperly installed, poorly maintained, or overloaded with equipment or personnel, the vessel owner may be liable for the resulting injuries.
Gangway collapses often occur when crews are boarding offshore supply vessels, tugboats, dredges, or cargo ships working along the Texas coast. Many accidents involve unsecured gangways, broken support cables, shifting vessels, or gangways that were never designed for the weight placed on them. When these failures occur, workers can fall several feet onto steel decks, concrete docks, or directly into the water.
Common injuries from gangway accidents include:
- Broken arms, legs, and ribs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Shoulder and knee damage
- Near-drowning incidents
In addition to a Jones Act negligence claim, injured maritime workers may also have claims for vessel unseaworthiness and the right to receive maintenance and cure benefits while recovering from their injuries.
Because gangway accidents frequently happen in high-traffic maritime corridors such as the Houston Ship Channel and offshore oilfield supply routes in the Gulf of Mexico, it is critical that injured seamen understand their rights under federal maritime law. Employers and vessel owners often attempt to minimize responsibility after these accidents, especially when the failure was caused by poor maintenance or unsafe working procedures.
Maritime workers injured in gangway collapse accidents should report the incident immediately, seek medical treatment, and preserve evidence such as photographs of the gangway, witness statements, and vessel logs. These cases often turn on evidence showing the gangway was unsafe or improperly secured.
The maritime injury attorneys at Gilman & Allison, LLP represent injured seamen and offshore workers throughout the Texas Gulf Coast. If you or a loved one was injured due to a gangway collapse or unsafe boarding equipment, you may have the right to pursue compensation under the Jones Act and other maritime laws.